Celtics vs Cavaliers
The Cavaliers shocked the NBA by turning a 25-point loss to the Celtics in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals and turning it into a 24-point victory in Game 2 as a 13-point underdog. They now have a chance to take control of the series with Game 3 at home on Saturday. The Cavs are 8-point home underdogs, although they are 4-0 straight up at home in the playoffs. Going back to the end of the regular season, they’ve won seven of their last eight home games. However, the Cavs were home underdogs just eight times during the season, going 4-4 against the spread in those games.
As for the Celtics, they had a similar experience against Miami, dropping Game 2 at home as a double-digit favorite but responding with a convincing win in Game 3. Boston was also 11-8 against the spread coming off a loss this season and 20-17-3 ATS as a road favorite. The Cavs will surely present more of a challenge than the Heat did in the last round. But Cleveland still doesn’t have Jarrett Allen back from injury, which hurts them. Given the way the Celtics have dominated the Eastern Conference all season, it’s hard to believe they won’t respond positively and get back to beating the Cavs by double digits in Game 3.
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